Description: So here’s some good news and some bad news. The good news is that Canadians do not typically stigmatize depression are depressed individuals. The bad news is that males who are depressed or more likely to self-stigmatize or in other words to blame themselves and hold themselves to rather harsh standards in relation to their difficulties in managing their mood state. As you read through the article linked below or look at the research article it refers to think about the implications for treatment but also for social intervention in relation to males and depression.

Source: The saddest thing about how men view their own depression, Psyblog: understand your mind.

One of the standard observations about depression is that its incidence as measured by the numbers of people who seek assistance for the struggles with the disorder is higher among females than among males. One of the standard hypotheses as to why this might be involves suggesting that females are more likely to feel comfortable seeking assistance as compared to males. The study discussed in the article linked above looks directly at this hypothesis from the male perspective. It is interesting to note given the degree of discussion about the construct of stigma in the general social level of the concept also applies to how individuals respond to their own circumstances and usefully points out the relationship between how one thinks and feels about one circumstance in relation to one’s own beliefs and impressions about social standards and norms. In other words, cell stigma can be as big or perhaps even a bigger problem than social stigma, particularly when it stands in the way have individuals were clinically depressed seeking and receiving assistance.

Questions for Discussion:

What does the study discussed in the article linked above suggest about how depressed males view themselves and their situation (depression) will see you oh?

What might the impact be of the observed relationship between self-stigmatize nation by males struggling with depression and the tendency to socially isolate themselves and not seek treatment?

What sorts of steps ought to be taken to address this typical male reaction to schizophrenia if it turns out to be supported through additional research?